Locomotive cab window



June 23, 1942.

J. w. RICHARDSON 2,287,195

LocoMTIvE GAB wINDow Filed March 29, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 23,V 1942. 1 W RlcHARDsvoN 2,287,195

vLOCOMOTIIVE CAB WINDOW l Filed March 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIA 'llI/lIIIl/IIIIIIII/lll/IIIlIIIlIlIIIIIllII/lIlh A Inventur.

Patented June 23, 1942 LocoMo'rIvE CAB WINDOW John W. Richardson, Milwaukee, Wis., assgnor to The Prime Manufacturing Company, Milwau- V kee, rWis.

applicati@ March 29, 1939, serial No. 264,742

1 Claim.

This invention appertains to closures having transparent panels for vision purposes.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to provide novel means for constructing a window whereby a maximum amount of clear vision is assured, thereby rendering the window particu larly adaptable for use in the front of the cabs of locomotives.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide a novel one-piece frame for the window, which can be either bolted or hingedly secured in place, as may be desired, to the `front wall or sheet of the locomotive cab for supporting transparent panels, the frame allowing the panels to extend entirely to the edge thereof, whereby panels of maximum size can be employed.

Another important object of the invention is to construct the frame in such a manner that all of the panels can be of the same standard size, whereby to facilitate ordering and replacing of glass panels in case of breakage.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel means for rmly but detachably holding the glass panels in place, whereby said panels can be quickly removed and replaced when necessary.

A further important object of my invention is to provide the holding means for the glass panels of bowed leaf springs, whereby a certain movement of the panels under stress will be permitted, so as to reduce undue breakage of the panels.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of means for permitting the vopening and closing of the central panel to different positions, with means for permitting an overlapping of the central panel over the lower panel, when the central panel is in its closed position j to form a weather-proof window.

A still further important object of my invention is the provision of means carried by the frame for directing jets of heated air against the glass panels, whereby to prevent the collection of frost, ice, and snow thereon during the winter season.

A still further obj ect of my invention is the provision of novel means for locating the manifold for the hot air jets on the frame, whereby the manifold will tend to heat the frame at the point where the central panel is hinged to said frame, and thereby -prevent the freezing up ofthe hinge of said swinging central panel.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts,v as will be hereinafter more specically described, claimed,

and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational View of my novel closure, showing the same applied to the front wall or sheet of a locomotive cab, a fragment of the -cab being shown, parts of the v iew being also shown broken vaway and in section to illustrate structural details.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, central, vertical, sectional view through the closure, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, illustratingY the distributor forthe hot air carried by the frame. ,Y

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal, sectional View taken on the line 4-,4 of Figure 1, looking in the vdirection of the arrows, illustrating the means employed for operating the central hinged panel and for holding the hinged panel in a selected position.

' Figure 5 is a fragmentary, rear, elevational view of a window, showing a slightly modiiied form of means for defrosting the glass panels thereof.

Figure 6 is an'enlarged,'fragmentary, sectional view illustrating a modified form of means for releasably holding a glass panel in place.

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 6, showing a further modiiied form of means for holding a glass panel detachably in position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter C generally indicates my improved closure, and the-same includes a rigid one-piece metal frame I0. y

The closure C is particularly adaptable for use in the front of locomotive cabs, and in the drawings, to show one use of my invention, I have illustrated the closure C applied to the front wall or sheet I I of a locomotive cab L. The front wall or sheet oi the cab L, on each side of the boiler, is provided with an opening I2',` and in the present instance, my frame I0 is tted within the opening. Due to thefact that the side walls of the cab project a less distance fromtheV sides of the boilers on new locomotives (or the boilers take up a greater space), the openings I2 in the front of the cab are, of necessity, of a narrower order than formerly. In .order to provide maximum vision, I provide the novel frame I0 for receiving transparent panels I3, I4, and I5, which eX'- tend substantially the entire distance across the frame I9 and the opening I2.

The transparent panels I3, I4, and I5 can be constructed from any desired material, such as safety glass, plate glass, etc.

The frame I9 includes spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending, vertical side bars I6 and I1, top and bottom transverse bars I8 and I9, and an intermediate transverse cross-bar 20. All of the mentioned bars I6, I1, I8, I9, and 29 are of an angle-shape in cross section, so that the glass panels can be readily placed in the frame against certain of the flanges of the angle bars. Likewise, the bars I6, I1, I8, and I9 carry outstanding marginal flanges 2 I.

In the preferred installation, the frame I0 is securely fastened to the front wall II of the cab by the use of bolts or the like 22, but, if so desired, the frame I9 can be hingedly secured in place, whereby the frame, with its panels, can be opened and closed like a door or swinging Window sash. The hinges are suggested in Figure 1 in dotted lines and are indicated by the reference character 23.

The transverse cross-bar is arranged closer to the top cross-bar I8 than to the lower crossbar I9, and this transverse, intermediate crossbar 20 constitutes a rest for the top panel I3 and a support for the swinging frame 24 for the intermediate glass panel I4. All of the panels I3, I4, and I5 are of the same size, so that all of the panels are interchangeable. However, it is to be noted that the panels I4 and I5 are so arranged that when the swinging frame 24 is in its lowered position, the panel I4 will overhang or overlap the panel I5, so that a weather-proof closure will be had. Likewise, with this ccnstruction, the intermediate panel I4 can be opened a slight distance for Ventilating purposes without causing the formation of a direct draft.

Referring more specifically to the swinging frame 24 for the intermediate panel I4, it will be noticed that the same includes spaced, parallel, side bars 25 and 26 connected together at their upper edges by a top cross-bar 21, which can be l of a U- or channel-shape in cross section. The panel I4 ts close against certain flanges of the bars 25, 26, and 21, and the lower ends of the bars 25 and 26 carry lugs 28 on which the lower edge of the panel I4 rests. The top bar 25 is connected with the lower face of the transverse, intermediate cross-bar 29 of the main frame by means of a piano hinge 29.

Any desired and preferred means can be provided for raising and lowering the swinging frame and for holding the swinging frame 24 in a selected position. In the present instance, I have shown the operating means for the swinging frame 24 consisting of an operating rod 39. The rod 39 can be situated within the cab at a point most convenient to the engineer, and the outer end of the rod is provided with an operating handle 3|, which can be of the pistol grip type. This operating rod 30 slidably and rotatably extends through a guide sleeve 32, which is, in turn, rockably mounted on a bracket 33 secured to the cab. The guide sleeve 32 is provided with a hollow spindle 34. which is rotatably mounted in the bracket 33, and the spindle 34 is held against accidental displacement from the bracket by means of a washer 35. The operating rod 39 is provided at spaced points with keeper notchesV 36 for the reception of a lock plunger 3J. This plunger is slidably mounted within the sleeve 32 and is normally urged toward the operating rod 30 by an expansion spring 38. One end of the spring bears against the lock plunger 31, and the other end against a cotter pin 39. This cotter pin 39 passes through the spindle 34, and also serves as means for holding the washer 35 in place. The forward end of the operating rod 30 has connected thereto by suitable threads the arcuate arm 40, and the forward end of the arm is connected by means of a pivot pin 4I to pivot ears 42 formed on the swinging frame.

Normally, the plunger 31 ts within one of the keeper notches 36, and when it is desired to open or close the swinging frame, the hand grip 3l is grasped and the rod 39 is rotated a partial turn, so that the plunger 31 will ride on the smooth portion of the rod 30. The rod 30 can then Ibe slid back and forth until the swinging frame reaches the -desired position, at which time the rod 30 is rotated back to its initial point of rest, so that the plunger 31 can again spring into the closest keeper notch.

As brought out in the objects of my application, one of the important features of the invention is the provision of the means employed for detachably, but firmly holding the transparent panels in place. In order to detachably hold the panels in place, I provide bow leaf springs 43 for each panel. The main frame I0, adjacent its opposite ends, and the swinging frame 24, intermediate its ends, are provided with inwardly projecting lugs 44. By compressing the leaf springs, the intermediate portions thereof can be sprung under the lugs, and thus the springs will be placed under tension and Will bear against the sides of the panels and hold the panels tightly against .the frames. The outer ends of all of the leaf springs can be curved so as to form bearing feet for engaging the panels, whereby to prevent injury to the panels.

By this construction and arrangement, it will be appreciated that it is merely necessary to depress the central portions of the springs 43 and slide the same from under the lugs 44 in order to remove the panels. This forms a quick and efcient means for replacing the panels. This construction eliminates undue breakage of glass, in that the panels are permitted of certain outward movement, and, thus, the panels can resist certain outward strains placed thereon.

In order to prevent the accidental displacement of the bow leaf springs 43, the lugs 44 can have their outer ends provided with lips 45, and these lips engage the outer edges of the springs and prevent the springs from working out from under the lugs. The springs can also have struck-out teats 46 thereon for lying on opposite sides of the lugs 44 to prevent longitudinal sliding movement of the springs.

Obviously, the springs and their holding means can take various forms, and, in Figure 6, I have shown a leaf spring 41 with its intermediate por- .tion provided with a saddle 48 for receiving the holding lug.

In Figure 7, I have shown the underface of the holding lug provided with a boss 49, which is adapted to be received in a socket 59 formed in the leaf spring.

From the description so far, it can be seen that I have provided a novel window for locomotive cabs in which full vision is provided, and in which a one-piece rigid frame is accurately fitted within the openings formed in the front of the locomotive cab.

During the winter season, I have provided novel means for keeping the glass panels clear of frost, ice, and snow. This means includes a manifold or distributing pipe which extends transversely across the main frame |0. This manifold 5I can be formed integral with the transverse, intermediate cross-bar 20, and the manifold or distributing pipe 5| is provided with upper and lower, outwardly angled, spray openings 52. These openings 52 are directed toward the panels I3 and I4, and are placed at spaced points longitudinally along the manifold or distributing pipe 5|. One end of the `distributing pipe 5| can be closed by a plug 53, and the opposite end is adapted to be coupled to a supply pipe 54 leading from any source of heated fluid, such as compressed hot air. Obviously, when hot air under pressure is forced into the manifold 5|, the hot air will be sprayed out of the manifold against the panels I3 and I4, and this hot air will effectively keep the panels in a clear Condition so as to insure clear vision therethrough. The hot air from the lower openings 52 in the manifold will tend to flow along the panels I4 down to the panel I5, and, thus, the hot air will also tend to keep the lower panel I5 in a clear condition.

Great stress is placed on the location of the manifold or distributing pipe 5|, and it is to be noted that this pipe is located adjacent the hinge 29, and, thus, the heat from the pipe will be transmitted to the hinge, and this will prevent the hinge from freezing up. Thus, the free swinging of the panel I4 and its frame is assured during all seasons of the year.

As shown in Figure 5, the manifold 5I can have formed thereon vertical branches 55, and these branches can extend alongside the frame. The branches can also have inwardly directed openings 56, so as to cause the impinging of heated air against the sides of the top panel.

Other changes in details can be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of my invention, but what I claim as new ls:

A locomotive cab Window comprising, a metal frame including longitudinally extending side bars, top and bottom cross-bars, and an intermediate cross-bar, a top vtransparent panel fitted in the upper part of the frame, a swinging panel having a frame hingedly connected to the intermediate cross-bar, a transversely extending distributing manifold pipe having upper` and lower rows of openings communicating therewith facing toward said panels, said pipe being adapted to receive heated air, and said pipe being carried by and forming a part of the transversely extending intermediate cross-bar, whereby heat from said pipe will be transmitted .to the cross-bar and the hinge to prevent freezing up of said hinge.

JOHN W. RICHARDSON. 

